A MAN is recovering from his injuries after he was assaulted by burglars in his own home.

The 62-year-old confronted two men in his home on the corner of Bowring Road and Coburg Road in Ramsey.

Sergeant Andy Kneen of Ramsey police said: ‘The gentleman was assaulted by both the men, who then left then premises. Although the victim’s injuries have been described as significant, they were not life-threatening. He was taken to Noble’s Hospital for a check-up, but fortunately he need no ongoing treatment.

‘We believe that this offence was committed about 7.30pm on Wednesday, October 17.’

The offenders were white men, one in his mid- to late-20s and the other in his early 30s.

Sergeant Kneen said: ‘I would ask that anyone who was walking or driving in the immediate area at about this time who noticed anything unusual, in particular in Coburg Road, to contact the police at Ramsey.’

Local officers and officers from CID have been, and will continue to, conduct house-to-house inquiries in the surrounding area.

The scene of the crime has been examined by the force’s crime scene examiners, and officers are awaiting the results of forensic tests.

A MAJOR shake-up of public service broadcasting in the island is being considered.

Under proposals being examined by the Department of Economic Development, Manx Radio, Energy FM and 3FM could all operate under one roof at Broadcasting House.

Instead of being used to fund programming, the government subvention – cut this year to £850,000 – would be used to provide the infrastructure, essentially the accommodation, for all three stations.

Such a sharing arrangement would have a major impact on Manx Radio and could lead to significant job losses.

A Tynwald debate on the future of the broadcasting was adjourned until December after it emerged that the new report had been presented to DED.

But Chief Minister Allan Bell, who called for the adjournment to allow for a ‘more informed debate’, was quite clear that funding could not be ring-fenced for Manx Radio.

He told Tynwald: ‘I want to make it very clear to this court and to the directors of Manx Radio there is no ring fencing in the present economic climate. Manx Radio will not be considered a special case and will have to argue its case for funding alongside every other because the same arguments put forward today could be put forward for social care, for housing and for every other service provided right across government.

‘I think the directors of Manx Radio have to get it on board we are living in very different times.’

3FM managing director Ron Berry confirmed that he presented the 100-page discussion document to DED and to the board of Manx Radio – but he declined to give details of his proposals.

He told the Examiner: ‘I can confirm I have put a discussion document together that has been presented to the Department of Economic Development and has also been shared with the board of Manx Radio.

‘At this stage it would not be appropriate to reveal its contents to the media as I would want to respect the wishes of Tynwald.’

Laurence Skelly MHK, member for DED, said: ‘It was appropriate for Tynwald to put back this debate so we can have an opportunity to review these options.’

Anthony Pugh, managing director of Manx Radio, said: ‘Manx Radio has by far the largest audience of any radio station in the island. Any new funding mechanism should ensure the needs of the audience are met and it’s for the benefit of the taxpayers of the island.

‘The board of Manx Radio are acutely aware of the financial situation of the island. It’s incumbent on the board to draw to the government’s attention the impact of recent funding reductions and the consequently impact they are likely to have on Manx Radio.’

But he said it was ultimately for Tynwald to decide the level of funding.

The government subsidy to the station was reduced in this year’s Budget from £927,000 to £850,000 – made up of a Treasury subvention of about £710,000 plus £140,000 from the refund of BBC licence fee money.

Manx Radio bosses say the cuts leave the station around £300,000 short of where it would be had government adhered to the funding formula approved by Tynwald in 2006.

A Treasury report into the public broadcasting subvention concludes that cuts in government subvention would start to impact upon the quality of Manx Radio’s output. Presenters have already been placed on freelance contracts and the number of news staff will have been cut from nine to seven this year.

In his motion to last week’s Tynwald, Speaker Steve Rodan called on the court to reaffirm its commitment to public service broadcasting in the island and to endorse Manx Radio as the island’s national broadcaster. It was the debate on that motion that was adjourned until December.

In Tynwald, Howard Quayle MHK (Middle) asked how the report presented to DED could be independent if it was from a competitor of Manx Radio. He said he was happy for the debate to be adjourned if the court was to get independent advice but not that from a vested interest.

Mr Rodan said: ‘The role of public service broadcasting is very important. If there are more effective and efficient ways it can be delivered then we have a duty to look at them.

‘We will look at any constructive proposal to see whether they meet the test of real public service broadcasting that is independent from government and is efficient from the point of view of the taxpayer.

‘In my opinion a taxpayers’ subvention is there to guarantee reporting, speech programming and elements of broadcasting which would otherwise not be commercially viable.’

THE deal for the Manx government to buy shares in the Pinewood film studios can formally proceed following an announcement to the Stock Market.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK told the House of Keys that Pinewood Shepperton plc has received consent from the UK’s Financial Services Authority.

‘The transaction will now formally proceed,’ he said.

The consents allow for Pinewood Shepperton to become the investment manager for the island’s £25 million Media Development Fund. Purchase from Peel Holdings of a 9.89 per cent shareholding in the studio will take place at the same time.

In its statement to the Stock Exchange, Pinewood said the agreement will come into effect on Thursday (October 25).

It said that from the same date former CinemaNX director Steve Christian will join the board as an executive director.

In the Keys there were further questions about the deal with Alfred Cannan (Michael) claimed we were ‘taking all the risks and they are getting all the returns’ - a claim dismissed as ‘absolute poppycock’ by the Treasury Minister.

Ramsey moved out of the Canada Life Premier League’s relegation places with a comfortable 6-1 victory over a struggling Marown side at Ballacloan on Saturday.

It was the hosts first win of the season but it was not quite the convincing victory that the scoreline might suggest.

The Crosby based visitors looked woefully disorganised in defence gifting four of the home side’s six goals.

Resplendent in their all red strip it was, however, the away side that created the fixture’s first real chance as a Gary Christian effort required an equally impressive save from Ramsey’s highly rated Bulgarian keeper Kiril Velev.

Moments later David Brew’s side were again unfortunate to see a smart effort from striker Juan Killip rebound off an up-right.

The home side then clicked into gear and after 10 minutes an unmarked Michael Fernandes converted Kris Halsall’s beautifully flighted corner to give the Blue and Whites the lead.

The visitors then suffered a further blow with the loss of skipper Nigel Shimmin to a painful pulled muscle.

Soon after Ramsey’s second goal placed another question mark against the Marown defence as Fernandes out-smarted keeper Mark Kinley before stroking the ball home.

On the half hour mark it was three when Lewis Qualtrough took full advantage of a static Marown defence before finding the target.

As the home team eased off, shortly before the break, Marown enjoyed an impressive spell and their best player Niall Quayle fired a fine opportunity straight at keeper Velev.

Quayle, in fact, then created the first real chance of the second half but once again keeper Velev came to the rescue of Brian Carney’s side.

On the hour mark, the visitors managed to pull one back when the home defence failed to clear a corner allowing Christian the opportunity to score.

The Mooragh Park men though looked dangerous on the break and Fernandes completed his hat-trick when he turned smartly in the box to fire home the goal of the game.

With the Ramsey side on top Jamie Arneil met another well placed Halsall corner and his powerful header was, in turn, headed into his own net by defender Phil Jones.

Right at the death Qualtrough made it six with the visitors’ defence once again at full stretch. It was a vital three points for the northerners and next Saturday they face another highly significant trip to fellow strugglers Gymns.

TEAM CHECK

Ramsey: Kiril Velev, Robbie Callister, Alex Yates (Robbie Campbell), Jamie Arneil, John Roberts, Lewis Qualtrough, Daniel Tate, Matty Montgomery, Michael Fernandes, Kris Halsall Liam Parker (Jabrane Moutiq)

Marown: Mark Kinley, Cathal McCann, Paul Timpson (Kevin Druggan) Neil Gibson, Nigel Shimmin (Neil Withers) Stuart Christian, Mike Wheeler, Phil Jones, Niall Quayle (Andy Newton) Gary Christian, Juan Killip.

Referee: Mark Thomas; A fine performance from an old head who kept the game flowing when he could, but it was never likely to get out of hand.

Assistants: Ian Fisher and Billy Blair.

Man of the Match: Michael Fernandes (Ramsey) Hat-trick hero, but Ramsey keeper Velev was not far behind after playing an equally important role for his side at the back.

Match Rating: HHHHH

Attendance: 111

IT was a game of two halves in South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two on Saturday, as Sure-sponsored Vagabonds came away from third-placed Ormskirk with a bonus point win.

The Manx side were in control with a 10-26 lead at half-time before Ormskirk fought their way back into the game, though Vagas did enough to close out the victory and leapfrog their hosts into the league table’s top-three.

The Ballafletcher outfit had a dream start when an early attack left centre Ross McCulloch galloping down the left side. Pacey winger Sam Cannell called the switch inside to go under the posts, and scrum half Jonny Beckley added the conversion.

McCulloch grabbed one of his own soon after, as some good defensive pressure from the men in white forced a turnover in midfield and a breakaway try. Beckley converted to make it 0-14.

Vagas kept in control with well organised defence and kept the game in the Ormskirk half with territorial kicks reigning in from stand-off Aidan O’Shea, full back Leigh Kennaugh and winger Tom Gascoyne.

Kicks are only ever as good as the chase though, and it was one such chase that led to Vagas’ third, as Gascoyne and lock Rob Martin forced the home full back over his own line to concede a five -metre scrum.

The Vagabonds tight five duly put the power on to give number eight Joe Louw a platform to pick up and power over.

Ormskirk number 10 James Illingworth got the home side’s afternoon started with a penalty, but Vagas were to strike again just a few minutes later.

A break on the right side saw Gascoyne chip neatly infield over the covering defence, and it was centre Mark McGreal that won the race to the bobbling ball to gather and power over and seal the fourth try bonus point, with just 16 minutes of the half gone.

Beckley added the extras as the lead extended to 3-26.

Ormskirk began to shake off the shellshock and raise their game, however, and had the final say of the half as hard-running number 12 Neil Harbourfield jinked through a napping defence. Illingworth converted.

Vagas pulled their proverbial socks back up straight after the break as defensive pressure again forced a spilled ball.

Replacement winger Sam Liver hacked it on, and finished it off, scooping the ball and crossing the whitewash.

Ormskirk are a better side than a 10-31 deficit on home turf and they proved they had much more to offer as they cut the errors and began to move the ball wide.

Big tight head Ryan Purcell carried well and secured turnovers at the ruck, topping it off by barging over the try line to score the home side’s second, with Illingworth adding a conversion.

Left wing Joe Hodson also got in on the action, finishing off an expansive move and bringing Ormskirk right back into the game. Illingworth added a conversion and penalty to leave the contest finely poised at 27-31.

Moving in to scrum half, a hospital pass left Vagas’ Kennaugh needing most of the first aid kit taped to his face, but the mummy returned to slot an important penalty and allow a hint of breathing space.

A late try from Ormskirk right wing Luke Parker very nearly spoiled Vagas’ party, but the conversion was short and a penalty in the final seconds sailed wide, leaving the Manx side with all five points.

PDMS Southern Nomads won the top of the table Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield clash against Vagabonds B 10-17 at Ballafletcher on Saturday afternoon.

The first half was a tight affair, with the only score a penalty coming from Nomads’ Duncan Miller.

Two quick tries at the beginning of the second half from Steve McHugh and Harry Brereton, both converted by Miller, pushed the lead out to 17-0.

Vagabonds hit back with tries from Floris Venter and Andy Pease, but will rue the absence of a goal kicker as they missed seven points from the boot.

Douglas B beat Castletown 38-21 at Poulsom Park.

Veteran scrum-half, Ady Shimmin, bagged a hat-trick of tries for Douglas. There were also scores from Sam Peel, Dan Winrow and Ben Dutnall, with Gareth Hooson-Owen adding four conversions.

Town’s points came courtesy of tries from Paul Drake, Gary Stephenson and Will Stanton with Chris Mash converting all three.

In the final game of the day, Ramsey B beat Western Vikings 21-5 at Mooragh Park.

Luke Robertson, Matty Kelly and Mikey Craine all picked up tries for Ramsey with Kelly converting all three.

Vikings skipper Mike Sheeley touched down for his side’s consolation try before leaving the field with a dislocated knee.

Rugby Results

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two

Douglas 26-3 Ramsey

Ormskirk 32-34 Vagabonds

Shimmim Wilson Manx Shield

Castletown 21-38 Douglas B

Vagabonds B 10-17 Southern Nomads

Ramsey B 21-5 Western Vikings

THE Rockets of Ronaldsway finally had lift-off on Saturday when they beat southern rivals Malew 1-5 at Clagh Vane to record their first win of the JCK Division Two campaign.

With the recent wet weather, the pitch was soft and resembled a marsh, meaning the quality of football resembled a kick about more than a league encounter.

The constant launching of route one balls high in the air and the dearth of midfield creativity shouldn’t detract from what was three deserved points for the visitors.

Prior to kick-off Malew would have felt confident of claiming the three points after scaling the dizzy heights of mid-table with some impressive performances in recent weeks. However, it wasn’t to be as Ronaldsway savoured victory at the final whistle.

Superbly officiated by referee Stuart Kneen, both teams were keen to make a telling impression from the off. Jamie Heaney (Ronaldsway) and Craig Howard (Malew) traded efforts just wide of the target within the opening few minutes.

Although the hosts had the upper hand, two goals in the 21st minute started to pave the way for a visiting victory.

Crawley forced the counter, his pass was collected by Dave Kelly who ventured unopposed from the right and guided his effort home at the near post.

Hardly a minute had elapsed and thanks to some calamitous defending from Malew, Crawley nipped in to thrust home a second.

Malew looked for a response and top scorer Howard looked certain to score only to see his effort cleared off the line by Jamie Turton.

More distatrous defending from the hosts gifted the Rockets a third when Crawley pushed a diagonal through-ball which should have been easily dealt with by the Ballasalla side’s defence and goalkeeper. Instead it was collected by Heaney to roll the ball into an empty net.

Ronaldsway must have been pinching themselves seconds before the half-time whistle when they bagging a fourth.

Simon Lee’s cross-field pass released Crawley on the right he homed in towards goal before tucking his effort past shot-stopper George Harker to complete an impressive first-half performance.

The Rockets were in full-flight in the second half, netting a fifth when they were award a penalty.

Crawley easily dispatched the spot-kick to complete his hat-trick.

Malew did have something to cheer about midway through the second half.

Howard latched onto a long ball forward, poking his effort into the visiting net.

This sparked another good spell for the hosts but decisive finishing deserted them with Daniel Thirwell, Mike Carey and Adam Drewett all shooting off target, the latter also hit the framework with a long-range strike.

Crawley also found the net only to be ruled out for offside before being flummoxed a one-against-one situation with Malew net-minder Harker.

However, it was Tony Slinger’s side that sampled the delights of victory after the final whistle.

TEAM CHECK

Malew: George Harker, Daniel Thirwell, Andy Barlow, Jan Mahon, Mike McKenna, Adam Drewett, Callum Alexander (Wes Omar 46m), Rob Bell, Marc Corrin (Kevin Sutton 55m), Craig Howard, David Byrne (Mike Carey 60m)

Ronaldsway: Will Gavin, Martyn Whitehouse, Paul Gavin, Jamie Turton, Nay Whitehouse, Luke Turtle, Simon Lee, Marty Hall, (Cameron Omar 65m), Liam Crawley (Jimmy Hilton 85m), Paul Kelly, Jamie Heaney (Dan Kinley 76m)

Referee: Stuart Kneen

Bookings: Mahon, Drewett, Howard (Malew)

Man of the match: Crawley (Ronaldsway)

Match rating: HHHHH

PEEL moved to within a point of the Canada Life Premier League’s fourth Railway Cup spot on Saturday after beating Union Mills 1-3 at Garey Mooar.

The westerners hopes of competing in the top-flight’s traditional Christmas jamboree were boosted thanks to three first-half goals from Andrew Crennell, Marc Kelly and Daniel Bell as Rick Holden’s men swept aside their lacklustre hosts.

An off-colour Mills improved after the break, but Steven Quine’s neat finish was their only consolation from a poor day at the office.

Peel took advantage of a hesitant start by Derek Cowley’s home side, taking the lead after just 10 minutes played when centre-back Crennell took advantage of some slack marking to turn in Bell’s corner from the left.

With the home side still not out of the blocks, Peel threatened to cut loose driven forward by former Miller Matthew Woods and Marc Kelly in the Sunset City outfit’s midfield engine room.

The latter released the lively Lee Gale as the Mills’ defence reeled, goalkeeper Danny Christian coming to their rescue with a good save to deny the island winger.

With the Millers wasteful in possession on their bobbly Garey Moar pitch, Peel continued to dominate, Bell teeing up Kelly to draw another good save out of the increasingly busy Christian.

Midway through the opening 45 minutes, Peel deservedly doubled their lead when Marc Kelly headed in John Kelly’s measured cross to the back post.

Mills hopes then took another blow as talented wide-man Matty Cain was forced off injured just before the half-hour mark.

Peel compounded the Mills’ loss further just five minutes later when Daniel Bell curled in from the edge of the area.

The home side’s best spell of the match came either side of the half-time break. Just before the interval a quick Mills counter-attack nearly bore the fruit of a goal when Michael Nash played in David Thommeny, The Scottish striker’s first-time lob went agonisingly wide of Stuart Fayle’s goal as the big stopper advance out to meet the Mills attacker.

No doubt with the words of Cowley ringing in their ears Mills made the better start to the fixture’s second period and netted six minutes into it when Quine rifled in Paul Blair’s low cross from the right.

The Millers tried to get a further foot-hold in the match, but as the condition of the pitch deteriorated so did the standard of the football on show. Indeed Bulgarian referee Nehko Marimov’s Manx debut performance became the period’s main talking-point as the game toiled.

Kerron Christian and substitute Liam Harrison both had chances for Peel as the half wore on, but neither could land a telling blow as the westerners managed to hold their opponents at arms length until Marimov’s final whistle.

Team check

Union Mills Danny Christian, James Cannell, Dan Woznica, Stephen Halsall, Karl Dobbin (c), Paul Blair (David Clark 78m), Gareth Logan, Michael Nash (Richie Cannell 78m), Matty Cain (David Thommeny 28m), Kyle Uren, Steven Quine.

Peel Stuart Fayle, John Kelly, Daniel Lace, Rob Cottier (c), Andrew Crennell, Kevin Megson (Aaron Costain 80m), Matthew Woods (Stephen Tidy 67m), Marc Kelly, Daniel Bell, Kerron Christian, Lee Gale (Liam Harrison 85m).

Referee Neshko Marimov

Assistants John McCallum and Gerry Thomson

Booked Woods, Gale, M. Kelly (Peel)

Man of the Match: Woods (Peel) impressed in the holding midfield role against his former club

Match rating HHHHH

PARAGON Valkyrs A continued their unbeaten start to the Wi-Manx Mixed Premier season with an 8-1 victory over CM Skye Ramsey A on Saturday.

Chris Caldwell and Gareth Morris netted two goals apiece, while Russell Miller, Greg Miller, Leanne Prescott and Ollie Webster added single strikes. Chris Wells was the only Ramsey player to find the net.

Celton Manx Celts returned to winning ways with a 4-0 victory over Paragon Valkyrs B, Paul Kelly netting a hat-trick and Gail Logan a single strike.

Wi-Manx Mixed Division One

HQ Harlequins A claimed a 4-0 victory over league leaders Paragon Valkyrs C, Paul Nuttall netting twice, Stuart Gell once and an own goal making up the quota.

Fearless Sabres continued their winning streak with victory over Celton Manx Cushags Colts. Andrew Winstanley and Steve Cottier netted two apiece with John Halligan and Steve Jackson getting each. Harry Brindle and Aalish Bridson were the Cushags scorer.

The points were shared between Celton Manx Cammags and IOMA Group Bacchas Colts. Iain Wrigley netted for Cammags with Ed Knight hitting the reply for Bacchas.

IOMA Group Bacchas C added to their points tally with a 3-0 victory over Manx Telecom Vikings A. Alex Bell opened the scoring for Bacchas before Craig Leece added a brace of goals in the last three minutes.

Wi-Manx Mixed Division Two

League leaders CM Skye Ravens dropped their first point of the season as they were held to a draw by Paragon Valkyrs D. Hannah Grubb and Jordan Parkinson scored for Ravens, while Mairi Shimmin replied for Valkyrs plus an own goal from Barry Mellor.

Celton Manx Southerners claimed an impressive 8-0 victory over HQ Harlequins B. Paul Harris netted a hat-trick and was joined on the scoresheet by Rebecca Jacobs and Miles Ashworth with two apiece and Andy Bentley with a single strike.

Manx Telecom Vikings D secured their first victory of the season with a 6-0 success over Fearless Sharks. Aaron Hynes and Jan Carney netted twice each with Emma Bridgewater and Sammy Bowden scoring the others.

Daniel Cross scored the only goal in Celton Manx Cosney’s victory over IOMA Group Bacchas D.

Wi-Manx Mixed Under-16s

Celton Manx Castletown emerged victorious from their match with HQ Harlequins. George Powell and Clodaugh Douglas were the Castletown scorers, but no details of the Harlequins scorer were received.

CM Skye Rogues claimed a 1-0 victory over Paragon Valkyrs thanks to a goal from Thomas Tsitsos.

Celton Manx Celts 4

Paragon Valkyrs B 0

Paul Kelly 3

Gail Logan

Paragon Valkyrs A 8

CM Skye Ramsey A 1

Chris Caldwell 2 Chris Wells

Gareth Morris 2

Russell Miller

Greg Miller

Leanne Miller

Ollie Webster

Wi-Manx Mixed Division One

Celton Manx Cammags 1

IOMA Group Bacchas Colts 1

Iain Wrigley Ed Knight

Celton Manx Cushags Colts 2

Fearless Sabres 6

Harry Brindle Andrew Winstanley 2

Aalish Bridson Steve Cottier 2 John Halligan

Steve Jackson

HQ Harlequins A 4 Paragon Valkyrs C 0

Paul Nuttall 2

Stuart Gell

Own goal

Manx Telecom Vikings C 0

IOMA Group Bacchas C 3

Alex Bell

Craig Leece 2

Wi-Manx Mixed Division Two

Celton Manx Southerners 8

HQ Harlequins B 0

Paul Harris 3

Rebecca Jacobs 2

Miles Ashworth 2

Andy Bentley

IOMA Group Bacchas D 0

Celton Manx Cosney 1

Daniel Cross

CM Skye Ravens 2 Paragon Valkyrs D 2

Hannah Grubb Mairi Shimmin

Jordan Parkinson Own goal

Manx Telecom Vikings D 6

Fearless Sharks 0

Aaron Hynes 2

Jan Carney 2

Emma Bridgewater

Sammy Bowden

Wi-Manx Mixed Under-16s

HQ Harlequins 1

Celton Manx Castletown 2

No details received George Powell

Clodaugh Douglas

Paragon Valkyrs 0 CM Skye Rogues 1

Thomas Tsitsos

‘I REMAIN optimistic to meet a renewable energy target,’ the Minister who brought forward the policy told Tynwald.

The Manx government agreed in 2010 to having 15 per cent of electricity generated from renewable sources by the year 2015.

Friends of the Earth believe the target will not be met partly because there is little incentive offered by government for people to invest in green technology.

In Tynwald Economic Development Minister John Shimmin was quizzed over the policy he had brought forward as chairman of the previous Council of Ministers’ energy and climate change sub-committee.

He said the recently-formed CoMin Environment and Infrastructure sub-committee, chaired by Environment Minister Phil Gawne MHK, with representatives from DED, DOI and the MEA, were considering the policy to generate 15 per cent from renewable sources by 2015, and will report back to Tynwald in ‘due course’.

David Quirk (Onchan) asked Mr Shimmin: ‘Are we on track to receive at least 15 per cent through renewables by the particular date? It was unanimous support of the particular House at the time and I am wondering is the Minister confident, or will he tell the court if we are not going to make the target?’

Mr Shimmin said there was significant time left before a final decision had to be made before the end of 2013. He said reports had shown the target was feasible.

‘It is then a case for Tynwald court collectively to come forward with their view as to whether this is appropriate. A 20 megawatt onshore windfarm would potentially generate the 12 per cent required, but as we have a number of persons in the public domain who are actively working against this, I think members of Tynwald require far more information before they could sign up to revisit and either support or turn down the policy of the previous court. I remain optimistic.’

A WOMAN from the north of the Isle of Man who was scammed out of £400 by a man she met on an online dating website is sharing her story so others don’t fall into the same trap.

A WOMAN from the north of the Isle of Man who was scammed out of £400 by a man she met on an online dating website is sharing her story so others don’t fall into the same trap.

The woman, who asked not to be named, has been told by police that she won’t be able to get the money back.

‘People have to be made aware that this is happening and not to be taken in by it, she said.

‘The minute they start asking for money is the time to stop.’

It started in July after she joined an online dating site, uniformdating.com for the first time.

She was contacted by a man who claimed to be a sergeant with the US Marines, serving in Afghanistan.

It was two weeks after they had been texting each other that he first asked her to send him money.

When asked why she had sent him the money, she said: ‘At the time I was very, very vulnerable.’

She had recently received the autopsy report into the death of her son, who died while serving in the Army.

‘I felt there was someone out there who really did care and who understood the military side of things.’

At his request, she agreed to send him £300, which he said was to help his daughter through her final year of university.

But after she sent him the money he then repeatedly started asking her for more.

He then asked for £1,000, which he reduced to £500 when she refused.

She finally sent him £100, which he said he would use to buy money for food from local people in Afghanistan.

That was when the alarm bells started ringing – but by then she had already sent him the money.

She refused to send him £550, which he said he needed for his redeployment back to the US.

‘He kept on and on about it.’

The man tried blackmailing her into giving him the money, saying that she had promised it to him.

‘He started to get angry with me because I wouldn’t hand it over,’ she said.

‘He will not stop making contact with me but I will not give him £550.’

She added: ‘I’ve reported it to the police. All they can say is “I’m sorry but you’ve been scammed. You willingly gave him money. You will never get it back”.’

The Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading has a leaflet explaining how residents can protect themselves against scams.

It says: ‘The “scammers” are extremely clever and all sorts of people get duped – not just the vulnerable members of society but also those amongst us who feel they have nothing to lose by responding to these contacts.

‘The truth is the losses can be terrifying – people lose thousands, often having their bank accounts cleared out through providing the “scammers” with their bank account details.

‘In the UK three million people fall victim to scams every year and residents of the Isle of Man are not immune.’

Read the leaflet online at www.gov.im/oft/consumers/scams.xml

IT has been a busy week in the annual fund conference calendar for Paul Kneen, managing director of Abacus’ fund operations in the Isle of Man and Malta.

Mr Kneen has recently returned from attending two significant events held in respective financial centres of the UK and Russia.

In London, Mr Kneen attended the Alternative Fund Governance and Regulation seminar, of which Abacus was one of the sponsors, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in Mayfair, where he discussed the results of a three month study.

The study measured the impact of regulation on alternative fund service providers and jurisdictions, with over 14,000 new regulatory measures being introduced globally in just 2011 alone.

Results of the study have shown that emergent fund managers will focus on locating business in the well known, high profile jurisdictions where corporate governance is a key factor in attracting and retaining investors.

The study also suggested that in future, fund managers will use a variety of different domiciles for different purposes, each best suited to the assets and the investors of a particular scheme.

Mr Kneen said, ‘While offshore jurisdictions may not always be as well recognised for their continued efforts to ensure the highest standards of financial integrity, the Isle of Man is often held up as the example of a pragmatic and flexible domicile well able to stand up to the scrutiny of its peers. It is an ideal jurisdiction for start-up funds seeking a well regulated, professionally administered domicile’.

In Moscow, Mr Kneen joined a delegation from the Isle of Man Funds Association to attend the Moscow International Financial Forum 2012, an event which included the Isle of Man Government’s Department of Economic Development and Isle of Man Funds Association among its sponsors.

The forum brought together global business leaders of banks, asset management companies, family offices and high net worth individuals to exchange ideas and views on the future servicing of investment flows into, and out of, the Commonwealth of Independent States (‘CIS’).

During the forum, the Isle of Man stand was well attended with delegates showing significant interest in the island’s financial services offering. Mr Kneen was also a speaker at the forum, providing the assembled delegates with an overview of high net worth and family office fund and trust structures available on the Isle of Man.

Mr Kneen said: ‘As a country with massive untapped natural resources combined with its recent moves toward a free market initiative, Russia has seen significant positive economic activity in the last few years and expects to see further wealth creation and asset expansion as a result.

‘The Isle of Man is well placed to provide an international base for inward and outward investment flows which will be necessary to ensure the future development of Russia’s economic growth.

‘With offices in the Isle of Man and Malta, Abacus has the experience and skills to provide bespoke solutions, tailored for a global client base and looks forward to developing its international business alongside the expanding markets of the CIS’.

www.abacusiom.com

Katherine Howe had a real problem on her hands when she basked in the glow from her dazzling debut novel, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane... it was always going to be a tough act to follow.

Fortunately, her writing has lost none of its magic; The House of Velvet and Glass, an absorbing and atmospheric historical novel, retains that sense of mesmerising wonderment which earned the author so much critical acclaim three years ago.

Her debut examined the thorny issue of Salem witchcraft, and this time Howe sets her discerning sights on spiritualism and the long shadow cast by the sinking of the Titanic.

Subtle, sophisticated and written with Howe’s trademark elegance, this richly dramatic story of a young Boston woman’s desperate attempt to connect with the mother and sister she lost in the 1912 disaster melds history and romance with frissons of thrilling fantasy.

Multi-faceted themes of mother/daughter relationships and a country on the cusp of war and change jostle with the battles between science and the supernatural, freewill and fate.

Three years after the Titanic sank, Sibyl Allston, who comes from a wealthy Boston family, is still haunted by the deaths of her mother and sister while what is left of her family drifts apart.

Her father Lan Allston, a man mysteriously silent about his personal history, is wrapped up in his shipping business and her dissipated brother Harley, a student at Harvard, has been sent down and is now living at home with Dovie Whistler, a less-than-respectable actress.

Hoping to heal her wounded heart and obtain reassurance that her mother’s spirit is at peace, Sibyl seeks solace in the parlour of medium Mrs Dee who promises to contact her lost loved ones.

But, under the guidance of Dovie, Sibyl is introduced to the opium dens of Boston’s Chinatown and finds herself drawn into a strange new world where she can never be sure that what she sees or hears is real.

In fear and desperation, she turns to Harvard psychology professor Benton Jones despite the unspoken tensions of their shared past. He is determined to help Sibyl by revealing that Mrs Dee is a fraud but Sibyl is now convinced she has the gift of ‘sight.’

Sybil and Benton are drawn into a world of occult magic, of truth and lies, and into a race to understand Sibyl’s own apparent talent for ‘scrying’ before it is too late. Because looking into the past and discovering what will happen in the future might be a curse rather than a gift...

Howe’s harrowing but enthralling story seduces with its meticulous research, elements of dark danger and suspense, compelling themes and breathtaking twist in the tail.

A seriously good book from a seriously good writer...

(Penguin, paperback, £7.99)

NO riders or teams have yet been signed for the new-look Manx Grand Prix, which is to be named the Isle of Man Festival of Racing.

Replying to a question in Tynwald from John Houghton (Douglas North), Economic Development Minister John Shimmin said the Festival of Motorcycling will incorporate the Classic TT races and the MGP races, as well as the trials and other events associated with the old MGP Festival.

Mr Shimmin explained the Classic TT will feature classic machinery, while the Manx Grand Prix will feature modern machines only, under the compromise agreed with the Manx Motor Cycle Club, as previously announced by his department.

The Minister said no contracts had been negotiated or agreed yet with teams or riders for the Classic TT and, consequently, no appearance fees have been agreed.

‘This is work that will be completed over the next few months. We have no plans to pay prize money,’ he told Tynwald.

Manx Grand Prix competitors have never received any prize money or appearance fees in the past.

Mr Shimmin said the total budget for the event was still being determined.

‘The department is looking at a number of revenue generating opportunities and our expectation is that the additional costs will be defrayed by additional income. This work is ongoing,’ he said,

John Houghton (Douglas North) asked what was budgeted for start money and prize money for top riders brought over for the event.

Mr Shimmin accused Mr Houghton of attempting to undermine the work being carried out on the event and ‘revert us back to where we were in the past’.

‘I will not be dragged down that route,’ he added.

Mr Houghton asked for a figure for the projected increase in visitors.

Mr Shimmin replied that about 9,000 visitors came to the island for the previous Manx Grand Prix and his department’s target was to take this up to 20,000 by the year 2016.

He said: ‘It is obvious there is a new audience for a rebuilt TT classic event.

‘Rather than killing the Manx Grand Prix, we would hope to still encourage the existing 9,000 who have come for that purpose and build on that those who have come for the other associated events during the festival.’

l What do you think?

Email opinions@newsiom.co.im

LAXEY and Lonan Heritage Trust will operate the spooky Hop-tu-Naa trains at the Great Laxey Mines Railway on Saturday and Sunday, the eighth year of the popular event.

Running between 1pm and 7pm, costing £2 for adults and £1 for kids, the trains are decorated as ghost trains, with the main tunnel blocked to keep out light to allow for spooky lighting effects.

Trust secretary Vicki Hewison added: ‘The success and ultimate survival of the railway, which is operated entirely by volunteers, is down to the income and exposure we receive from events such as the Halloween Trains.’

LIGHT touch regulation is needed to protect the island’s air services.

That was the call made in Tynwald by Speaker Steve Rodan who asked for the economic policy review committee to examine whether the Open Skies policy – which allow airlines free access to fly routes to and from Ronaldsway – still serves the best interests of the Isle of Man.

He also argued that it should be for the Department of Economic Development to detemine the island’s civil aviation policy.

Mr Rodan told Tynwald: ‘There is a possible price to be paid for the operation of such an Open Skies policy, which is clearly welcomed by many travellers, and that particular price could be the threat of such competition on established carriers and established routes and the long-term welfare of the island economically and socially in terms of the long-term network of services.’

He suggested the Open Skies approach can allow an airline to take on an established route for just a few busy lucrative months, take the profits off that busy route and leave the existing all-year-round carrier in severe difficulties.

Mr Rodan asked if system of ‘light touch’ regulation was needed to protect air services - with the regulator taking into account whether the route was currently ill served or would indeed benefit from competition.

He cited the example of easyJet which this month launched a new service to Gatwick in competition with Flybe, having previously brought competition to the Liverpool route.

But Infrastructure Minister David Cretney said the policy of unfettered competition had served the island well and resulted in a network of more than 20 routes being operated which he said was ‘remarkable’ given the size of the population.

Mr Cretney said the extra services launched by easyJet had been warmly welcomed by consumers although there had been concern voiced by some about the possible impact on existing air services.

Since easyJet began the Liverpool route, he said passenger traffic to the North West had actually increased by 8.4 per cent, helping to stabilise the overall decline in passenger numbers using Ronaldsway.

‘We will be watching carefully to see how the London market reacts to easyJet flying to Gatwick but currently links with the capital are buoyant.

‘Thus there has so far been no evidence that the development of low fares competition within these markets has had a detrimental effect on the provision of air services to these key regions,’ said the Minister.

He pointed out the numbe of schedule service destinations had grown from 14 to 21 in the 12 years of Open Skies. ‘There is no evidence in recent times that the Open Skies approach is harmful to the island’s route network - in fact quite the opposite.’

The House of Keys voted by 17 votes to five in favour of the inquiry but the Legislative Council voted against by three votes to five. Without the support of both branches of Tynwald, the motion failed to carry but Mr Rodan asked for a combined vote to be taken at next month’s Tynwald sitting.

AN investigation will be carried out on the powers of Tynwald committees to demand oral and written evidence.

It comes after another Tynwald committee, the Economic Policy Review Committee, highlighted what it saw as a ‘potential serious problem’.

At last week’s sitting, the committee’s chairman, Ramsey MHK Leonard Singer, explained that under current rules witnesses could use legal professional privilege – the right of a client to confidentiality of legal advice provided by their lawyer – to refuse to disclose documents.

It came to light when the Attorney General’s Chambers refused to provide information requested by the Economic Policy Review Committee during its investigation into the Space industry until the Communications Commission waived any rights to legal professional privilege.

Mr Singer said the effect of the Tynwald Proceedings Act 1984 was unintended, and there was evidence the Bill had been passed in ‘haste’.

Mr Singer said: ‘I am concerned in a future case any witness with something to hide may seek to use legal professional privilege to deny Tynwald and its committees information we are entitled to.’

Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan MHK said: ‘We cannot do our job as a select committee unless we are able to assess legal advice and opinion on which the legal interpretation of the law is made.’

An amendment by Douglas South MHK Kate Beecroft (LibVan) for the Standing Orders Committee to also examine the power of Tynwald and its committees to ‘punish for contempts arising from untruthful evidence’ was approved.

RETAILERS and other business customers were given an appreciation of how to spot counterfeit notes and coins courtesy of RBS International.

To demonstrate some of the challenges associated with counterfeit currency, the bank team circulated both genuine and counterfeit cash and notes and asked those attending whether they could identify the real from the fake.

The presentation was part of a series provided by RBS International in the Isle of Man to mark National Customer Service Week (NCSW).

In other events held at the Bank’s Service Centre, Victoria Road, Douglas, corporate, intermediary and institutional clients of the Bank including lawyers, accountants, life assurance, trust professionals and corporate service providers learnt about trends in fraudulent activity with tips on how to safeguard their businesses against it.

Among the team leading the sessions were Jacqui Hamblett and Dave Massey, service delivery managers along with Helen Cowin, assistant risk manager and Tracey Camp, cash centre production manager.

Jane Howland, head of service corporate and institutional banking, said: ‘We value customer service so highly that each year we like to consider initiatives during NCSW which we believe add value to the service we offer. Over 130 clients took up our invitation to attend one of our seven presentations and we have been delighted with the excellent feedback received so far.’

Jennifer Hardingham, management and financial accountant at the Isle of Man Creamery who attended the Cash and Coin Fraud Presentation, said: ‘I found the presentation provided by the Isle of Man Bank Service Centre really interesting. The staff giving the presentation were friendly and well-versed on fraudulent notes and coins and advised on what to look out for.

‘The laminated hand-outs provided in the session are great for using for guidance or as a quick reference on cash handling and how to spot a fraud.’

Anthony Page, director at Knox House Trust who attended one of the Fraud and Scams presentations said: ‘My colleagues and I found the presentation very informative; it will certainly ensure that we are more vigilant in our day-to-day roles and aware of possible threats to our business.

‘Scams are always something you think will not happen to you until they actually do and then it is too late. The presentation has certainly made us more aware of the potential scams and attacks we might suffer from.’

In addition the Bank also arranged to host three continuous improvement workshops for individual corporate customers at their service centre.

The primary focus of these workshops was to share best practice and experiences and to demonstrate how the Bank introduced efficiencies in its operations in order to add value to the customer.

PLANS for a multi-million business park and 75-bed hotel near the airport have been revealed.

A report on the proposed development, from Isle of Man Enterprises, which owns Shoprite, is in today’s Manx Independent.

The front page lead story is about the aftermath of the floods. One car dealer has had more than 100 cars written off after his business was hit.

The Manx Independent also talks to a man who says his mother was ‘neglected’. She was injured and had to go to hospital. The page three picture certainly is striking.

The week’s news also includes proposals to tighten regulations on smoking, reports from this week’s House of Keys sitting, including the latest on the bus dispute, and a report on a petition demanding more taxpayer money should go to the Third World.

Our 12-page entertainments and features section, What, Where, When, looks at a forthcoming production of Annie Jr. We preview the appearance of Tony Benn, the veteran UK Labour Party stalwart, who will be talking at the Gaiety next month, and we look forward to the Three Legs Festival.

There is also our usual two pages of What’s On.

Sports coverage includes a home win for cross country champion Keith Gerrard. Other highlights include the Postman’s Walk.

The Manx Independent is in the shops now

It shouldn’t happen to a woman... particularly when she is the editor of a leading national newspaper.

Eloise Elliot is marking her milestone 30th birthday in The Daily Post’s conference room surrounded by mangy-looking helium balloons, dismal egg and watercress sandwiches and an uninspiring bunch of semi-strangers.

They do say that no man is an island and Eloise has always been happy to be the exception to that rule – until now.

Much-loved Dublin writer Claudia Carroll can’t put a foot wrong with her funny, sunny novels which are guaranteed to brighten up the darkest of winter days.

Her latest wry romp reads rather like a feelgood fable, a sort of modern fairytale with the power to energise, enchant and entertain, and perfectly pitched to appeal to all those lovers of love stories.

Carroll’s research took her to the offices of The Irish Times where the then editor Geraldine Kennedy gave her an eye-opening crash course in the day-to-day realities of juggernaut journalism.

The result is a sparkling story full of lovable characters, irreverent, earthy humour and a gently unfolding love story that will melt the heart of all true romantics.

Eloise is married to her job as one of the youngest newspaper editors in Ireland. She’s respected and revered by her peers and she’s at the top of her game but, as her big birthday approaches, she is unexpectedly hit by a long, sharp pang of loneliness.

Realising she has no friends, no ‘significant other’ and rarely sees her family, Eloise suddenly has a ‘road-to-Damascus’ moment. She makes a lightning-quick, clear-headed decision to have a baby – not with an elusive ‘Mr Right’ but with a sperm donor.

One successful trip to the sperm bank and almost three years later, Eloise is the adoring mother of a gorgeous little girl, Lily, but juggling a high-powered job with motherhood is not easy and when she finds herself without childcare she sends an SOS to her sister Helen in Cork.

However, it’s when Lily starts asking about her ‘daddy’ that Eloise really starts to feel under pressure. ‘I do have a dad and one day he’ll come for me,’ Lily belligerently tells the other kids at pre-school.

Eloise decides there’s nothing for it – she’s going to have to find Lily’s father. After all, she chose the perfect donor so surely there won’t be any surprises ... or would that be just too good to be true?

Carroll’s quirky, clever story flows with the effortless ease that has become a hallmark of her writing. A cute and cuddly winter warmer for all chick-lit fans.

(Avon, paperback, £7.99)